Débogue tes humanités: Introduction : comment distinguer l'IA de ChatGPT
2025-09-11 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Halifax) | Université de Montréal, 3150 Rue Jean Brillant, Montreal, Québec, H3T 1N7, Canada
Qu’est-ce qu’on entend exactement par Intelligence Artificielle aujourd hui ? Pour ne pas se sentir dépassé par le discours ambiant sur ces nouvelles technologies et leurs grandes promesses, on vous propose une séance de rattrapage sur les fondements de l’IA. Venez apprendre la place des chatbots dans l’histoire de la discipline et comprendre l’intérêt d’étudier l’IA du point de vue des SHS.

→ Bibliothèque des lettres et sciences humaines (15:30)

→ Alexia Schneider, Marcello Vitali-Rosati

Pour plus de détails, veuillez consulter https://debogue.ecrituresnumeriques.ca/

Introduction to TEI
2025-09-13 00:00 - 23:59 | University of Victoria Libraries, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Date: September 13 2025

This workshop offers a three-hour introduction to the eXtensible Markup Language of the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI-XML). It begins by asking how we mark up historical and literary texts in order to create digital editions/archives and will cover the basics of XML terminology before diving into the specifics of TEI elements, attributes, and values. We will dig into the “TEI Guidelines,” discover how they are structured, and do some hands-on encoding of a short poem. As time permits, we will look at some TEI projects hosted by HCMC. This workshop will prepare participants for work on HCMC projects and/or for a longer TEI course offered by the DH training network.

Facilitator Bio: Janelle Jenstad is a Professor in the Department of English and Academic Director of the Humanities Computing and Media Centre. She is the founder and director of the Map of Early Modern London and Linked Early Modern Drama Online; Co-Coordinating Editor of the New Internet Shakespeare Editions, MoEML Mayoral Shows, and Digital Renaissance Editions; and former member of the TEI Technical Council.

Certificate Eligibility: This workshop is eligible for the Canadian Certificate in Digital Humanities

Number of seats: 15

To register: Contact HCMC Administrative Assistant Marla MacKinnon at hcmcadmin@uvic.ca

Makerspace Orientations: Laser Cutting and Engraving
2025-09-16 00:00 - 23:59 | York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada
Date: September 16 2025

Presenter: Jacob Turola

Get started with the makerspace laser cutter. We’ll demonstrate how it works and how you can use the cutter to make amazing designs with wood and acrylic!

Build Your Own Chatbot: Local Applications in Generative AI on your Laptop
2025-09-17 00:00 - 23:59 | McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
Date: September 17 2025

Most people know cloud-based generative AI tools like ChatGPT, but did you know that the powerful technology behind them, transformer-based Large Language Models (LLMs), can also run directly on a modern laptop?

In this hands-on, in-person workshop, you’ll explore how these AI systems work and learn how to set up and run a basic chatbot locally on your own computer. Gain a foundational understanding of transformer-based LLMs and discover how to harness their power without relying on the cloud.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the core principles behind transformer-based large language models

Set up and run a basic chatbot AI on a personal laptop

Explore practical applications and limitations of locally hosted generative AI

This session is perfect for anyone curious about AI who wants to experiment with running models independently!

Details: Any preparatory work for the session can be found on its information page. This workshop will not be recorded.

Facilitator Bio:

John Fink is the Digital Scholarship Librarian in the Sherman Centre.

Certificate Eligibility: This workshop is eligible for the Sherman Centre’s certificate program. For more information, visit scds.ca/certificate-program. It is also eligible for the Canadian Certificate for Digital Humanities. To learn more, visit ccdhhn.ca or contact scds@mcmaster.ca.

Credit Eligibility: This workshop counts toward credit for students in the Faculty of Science who are enrolled in SCIENCE 2SF1: Digital Skills Workshop. For any questions, please contact oursci@mcmaster.ca.

Makerspace Orientations: 3D Printing
2025-09-18 00:00 - 23:59 | York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada
September 18 2025

Presenter: Jacob Turola

Join us for this introduction to a staple in makerspace technology! Attendees will get started with 3D printing in the makerspace. The session will cover how to find a file, process it for printing and run the machine. All are welcome, and everyone gets to keep what they make.

Makerspace workshop: Sew your own (data-fied) laptop or book sleeve
2025-09-23 00:00 - 23:59 | York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada
Date: September 23 2025

Presenter: Alexandra Wong

Learn how to sew your own data-fied laptop or book sleeve in the Markham Makerspace! Using the provided sewing machines and fabric, you will be guided through the process of sewing a padded sleeve to protect your belongings. The workshop will be co-led by Data Visualization and Analytics Librarian Alexandra Wong and you will learn how to sew on an additional front pocket to customize your sleeve with a (physicalized) data visualization based on your own screen or reading time data.

No prior sewing experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own fabric if desired. Participants will take home their finished project.

Introduction of VR for Wellness and World Exploration
2025-09-24 00:00 - 23:59 | York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada
September 24 2025

Presenter: Jack Leong

Participants will learn the basics of virtual reality technology, and get hands-on experience with Quest headsets in this gentle introduction. Using a Quest headset, participants will immerse into sample content for education, wellness, world travel, and entertainment, and learn how to borrow VR equipment from the Library’s Media Creation Lab. Participants will also be introduced to our standalone VR Rooms, where more advanced content can be experienced using HTC Vive Pro headsets on high-powered computers.

Research + Lab Notebooks: Research Data Management Community of Practice
2025-09-25 00:00 - 23:59
Date: September 25 2025

Are you curious about organizing your research better? Join us for our first roundtable of the season September 25 from 11 AM – 12 PM on Research and Lab Notebooks.

Notebooks are important records of decision-making, results, and processes during research. Although many researchers still use paper notebooks, electronic tools protect against data loss, enhance searching, and validate findings through permissions and signatures. While McMaster University does not offer dedicated software, we’ll hear from researchers across disciplines about how they’re making it work with available tools. We’ll talk configuring workflows, setting up version control, which tools you avoid, onboarding students and new researchers, and other practical details.

Around the table this month:

Dr. Sara Andres (Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences) introduces how she’s configured OneNote

Dr. Andrew McArthur (Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences) shares his GitLab setup

Akacia Propst (The/La Collaborative – Philosophy) discusses a Research Documentation template

Dr. Andy Roddick (Anthropology) outlines using Obsidian to build connections in a mass of information

Here is the meeting link. Learn more and join the RDM community!

Débogue tes humanités: L’informatique à échelle humaine, c’est possible ?
2025-09-25 00:00 - 23:59 | Université de Montréal, 3150 Rue Jean Brillant, Montreal, Québec, H3T 1N7, Canada
Est-ce que ça prend un doctorat en informatique pour avoir le contrôle de nos vies numériques ? Les ordinateurs devraient d’abord répondre à nos besoins, et non l’inverse. Comprendre les grandes lignes de l’informatique est une façon de retrouver un peu de liberté dans un monde où les entreprises cherchent à prendre nos vies en charge.

→ Bibliothèque des lettres et sciences humaines (15:30)

→ Louis-Olivier Brassard

Pour plus de détails, veuillez consulter https://debogue.ecrituresnumeriques.ca/

Introduction to Computational Thinking
2025-09-25 00:00 - 23:59
COURSE DESCRIPTION

Date: September 25 2025

Computational thinking is an essential skill for anyone wanting to learn to program computers and write code. This Library Carpentries workshop will take you through the steps involved in computational thinking – learning how to break down complex problems into smaller parts, identify patterns, and design logical solutions that a computer can execute. Through hands-on activities, you will practice techniques such as problem decomposition, abstraction, and algorithmic thinking. By the end of the session, you will have a stronger foundation for approaching programming tasks with confidence, setting the stage for future coding and data-driven learning.

The Learning Objectives for this session are:

Generalize the steps to make the algorithm re-usable (abstraction)

Identify the steps in computational thinking

Break problems into manageable parts

Develop a clear sequence of steps (an algorithm) to solve a problem

Instructor: TBD

Create your first 3D model with Tinkercad
2025-09-25 00:00 - 23:59 | York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada
September 25 2025

Presenter: Ted Belke, Jacob Turola & Jiaqi Yuan

Learn to create your own 3D models for printing using the free web app, Tinkercad. An overview of the software and step-by-step instruction will provide a gentle introduction to 3D design concepts and techniques, so no previous experience is required. Laptops will be available to those who need them, but it is recommended you bring your own laptop and mouse if possible.

Data visualization in gaming
2025-09-30 00:00 - 23:59 | York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada
Date: September 30 2025

Presenter: Alexandra Wong

Drop-in and discover how different video games use data and data visualization to aid game play and tell stories. Participants will explore various types of data visualizations, from mini-maps to energy bars, and aspects of data design like colour choices and size, to better understand how these small features impact the overall functionality and aesthetics of games.

This workshop will showcase the combined abilities of the newly opened Markham Library’s Visualization Studio and Gaming Lab. Attendees are welcome to drop-in anytime and stay for as long as desired during the workshop’s hours to play, watch, and discuss how games visualize data.
